Tuesday, August 30, 2011

As soon as I posted my list of things that made me smile, I thought of something else ... and smiled again. The next morning, something silly happened, and I thought "now that's something that could go on my list" ... and then something else made me smile yet again. And again. So without really trying, I just kept finding things to smile (or laugh) about. So of course, that means I want to share with you.

I caught hubby dancing in the mirror while he was getting dressed. Sooo cute!

My "costume" for the 70s party I went to (mostly what I already own, with a few extra accessories) ... OMG, I cannot tell you how much I love the full-on hippie look ... it just seems to fit me so well! I seriously wish I could do that every day.

The most ridiculous lyrics I've ever heard (they're a bit vulgur, I apologize):"Sex with a mummy - put that p---y in a sarcophagus/Now she complains that I hurt her esophagus"
I believe my exact reaction was "wait ... WHAT? Did he just say ... REALLY? Wow ... really, just ... WOW." I was speechless for a moment, but couldn't stop laughing for at least 10 minutes.

Friday, August 19, 2011

It has been one helluva week. So many things have happened - both to me and to people I care about - that made me revisit the piece I wrote about karma earlier this year. A friend saw the re-post, and asked what was going on. At first, all I could say was oy vey. Then I told her about the deaths and grave illnesses I learned about, the difficult decisions and even more difficult discussions, and progress reports on a few ongoing issues (and newly developing ones). So much suffering in so many directions ... surely, things have to balance out somehow.

My awesome friend offered her sympathy and positive energy, as she always does (just one of the many reasons I love her so much). She reminded me to focus on the good things in life, even using some of my own ideas against me: "generating good and happy feelings will do just that ... generate more good and happy feelings: that's some form of karma i think." She suggested that I make a list of the good things in my life ("even the silly things like 'i love my keurig,'") as a way of getting this happiness ball rolling. I absolutely loved the idea, and promised her I would do just that. So I started thinking back over the past week or two, looking at the world through my peace, love & happiness filter ... and here's what I came up with:

Friday, August 5, 2011

If you've been reading anything I've written lately (I know, I haven't written much - sorry!), you know that I've been having an especially hard time the past few months. The whole reason I started this blog in the first place was to help get through the rough times, and come out stronger at the end. I thought that if I could focus on the positive even in the darkest days, surely I would bring more light into my life, and things would get easier. By extension, I hoped I could help spread the positive energy to you, too.

Go ahead, say it: awwww!

Unfortunately, it's not always that easy. Though I don't really have any secrets, there are some things that are just too personal to share in a public forum like this. Sometimes the things that weigh me down are not only my issues, and I respect the people in my life too much to air their feelings or issues (even if they're mine, too). Sometimes the clouds are hanging so low that even though I know there must be a silver lining, I have a really hard time finding it. And you don't need to read about me just being gloomy ... and I don't want to write about just being gloomy.

More accurately, I don't want to just be gloomy. As dorky as it may sound, I actually like being full of sunshine and rainbows. I am by nature a perky, bubbly, cheerleader-type (even if the blonde comes from my stylist), so while my recent depression has been completely understandable given all that I've been dealing with, it just doesn't feel like me. Now here's the kicker: it has taken many years of overcoming obstacles, learning from mistakes, and of course undergoing a complete metamorphosis, but the thing is, I actually like me. So that's who I want to be, and that's how I want to feel.

Meet the Buttahfly

About Kerry

​I'm a glass-half-full kind of girl. More than that, really - I'm the girl who'll point out that if it's not full, you don't have to worry about spilling your drink every time you pick it up!

I am extremely fortunate to be married to my best friend - the boy next door I had a crush on since I was a child. Though we've been married nearly 17 years, people who meet us still think we’re newlyweds … and in a way, we still are! Through thick and thin, sickness and health, he has been my rock, my anchor, my greatest source of strength and support.

Over the past few years, I've been diagnosed with a number of chronic, autoimmune, and invisible illnesses (see What’s Wrong for the details). Still, I do the best I can to stay positive: this blog is my way of showing those with similar experiences that they are not alone. We may not be able to beat (cure) our diseases, but we can make sure they don’t break our spirits. At the same time, I’m hoping to educate our friends and family – those who want to be there for us, but don’t really understand the extent of our illnesses and how severely they affect us. With a little help, we can get through anything … together.

It's my mission to make a difference in people's lives, and I encourage everyone to do that in whatever way possible. A positive word, a helping hand, a donation (of time or money) to a worthy cause, even a simple but genuine smile can mean the world to someone ... and that someone could be you!

🎶We're Jinglin', Baby!

On December 9, I'll be jingling my bells at the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run. Join us if you're in the area ... or support our efforts with a donation. Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated!

The Mighty

I've recently had a number of stories published on The Mighty, an online magazine of sorts for people with chronic illness. View my author page (and published pieces) here.

2017 WEGO Health Awards: Patient Leader Hero (Nominee)

“Sometimes the connections we make in online communities go above and beyond, truly changing our lives for the better.” This award recognizes those Patient Leaders “whose content has opened your eyes to seeing things differently … whose dedication has ignited the advocate within you to make a change … whose work has effected change for their community members. This Patient Leader's influence truly has the impact to make a difference. They're nothing short of a hero.” I am truly honored to be nominated.

I Did It!

Every day in April 2014, WEGO Health provided a prompt, and my posts here reflect my responses to those ideas, in terms of living with chronic illness(es). It was a great experience that inspired me to write more, enabled me to “meet” other bloggers and friends, and empowered us all to share our experiences in a unique and creative way.